Fishing Seasons in Indiana: What to Catch Month by Month

Indiana fishing follows a genuine four-season calendar. Spring brings bass and crappie to the shallows for spawn, summer pushes catfish and bluegill into peak action on warm-water rivers and lakes, fall triggers aggressive pre-winter feeding from walleye and muskellunge, and winter concentrates die-hards on ice or chasing Lake Michigan trout through the cold. The state’s freshwater diversity — glacial lakes in the north, big rivers through the middle, Ohio River tributaries in the south — means there’s almost always something biting somewhere. This guide walks through what to target and where, month by month. For a full overview of the state’s fisheries and license requirements, see our Indiana fishing guide.

Spring Fishing in Indiana (March–May)

Spring is the most dramatic season in Indiana fishing. As water temperatures climb from the low 40s into the upper 50s, crappie move first — heading shallow into brush piles, dock pilings, and flooded timber to spawn. The northern lake district and reservoirs across central Indiana light up for crappie from late March through mid-April, with fish stacked in 4–8 feet of water and biting small tube jigs and minnows hard. This is the most reliable crappie fishing of the year.

Largemouth and smallmouth bass follow the crappie spawn with their own, typically running from late April through May. Bass move shallow to nest on gravel and hard-bottom flats, and they’re aggressive and territorial — this is the time to throw big swimbaits and Texas-rigged plastics along spawning banks and rocky points. The lakes of northern Indiana and the rock-strewn stretches of Sugar Creek, Blue River, and the Tippecanoe River produce excellent smallmouth in May. Walleye run early — some of the best walleye fishing of the year comes in late February and early March on the Tippecanoe and Wabash rivers, before ice is fully off the lakes.

Channel catfish begin responding to baits in earnest as water temperatures hit 55°F, typically late April on southern rivers and early May further north. The White River and Ohio River tributaries produce well through the spring catfish run. Lake Michigan opens an entirely different chapter in spring — Coho Salmon and Brown Trout move shallow near stream mouths from March through May, and the harbor fishing out of Michigan City and Portage can be exceptional. A Trout/Salmon stamp is required in addition to your standard Indiana fishing license.

Summer Fishing in Indiana (June–August)

Indiana summers are defined by catfish, bluegill, and bass. Night fishing for Channel and Flathead Catfish on the White River, Wabash River, and Ohio River tributaries peaks from June through August — these fish are most active in the hours after dark, hitting cut shad, skipjack, and live bream drifted through deep holes and along current edges. Trophy Flatheads in the 40+ lb range are a realistic target on the lower White River during summer nights. Indiana holds a state record of 79 lb 8 oz for the species.

Bluegill fishing is at its most accessible in summer. Farm ponds, reservoir coves, and the weedy edges of northern lakes produce bluegill on crickets, redworms, and small jigs throughout June and into July. Summer also brings the best panfishing of the year for kids and casual anglers — virtually any public lake in the state holds good bluegill populations, and the fish are shallow and active. Largemouth bass fishing shifts to early morning and evening as summer heat sets in, with fish holding in deeper structure during midday. Topwater lures early and late, Texas-rigged plastics through the heat of the day.

Lake Michigan’s Chinook Salmon fishing peaks in August and September. Fish caught on downriggers trolling spoons and stick baits in the 60–90 foot range dominate the charter boat calendars out of Michigan City, Hammond, and Portage. These are the biggest fish Indiana anglers can pursue — the state record stands at 38 lbs — and the Lake Michigan fleet puts visitors onto them reliably during the summer run.

Fall Fishing in Indiana (September–November)

Fall is arguably Indiana’s best all-around fishing season. Cooling water temperatures trigger pre-winter feeding binges across nearly every species. Walleye and Sauger become much more active on the Tippecanoe, Wabash, and Salamonie rivers from October through November — post-sunset fishing with jigs tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers in 6–12 feet of water over rock structure produces consistently. The reservoirs of central Indiana (Mississinewa, Salamonie, Brookville) fish well for walleye through fall.

Muskellunge fishing peaks in fall. Northern Indiana’s glacial lakes — Tippy Lake, James Lake, Lake Wawasee, Barbee Lake — hold the state’s best Muskie populations, and October through November is when these fish move to shallower water and feed aggressively before winter. Large gliders, jerkbaits, and bucktails worked through weedy points and rocky transitions produce the biggest fish of the year. Indiana’s Muskie record stands at 42 lb 8 oz from James Lake in Kosciusko County.

Lake Michigan’s Chinook run peaks in September, with fish stacking near stream mouths and in the southern end of the lake. Shore fishing at Portage Lakefront, Washington Park in Michigan City, and the Indiana Dunes area can produce Chinook from the beach during the peak of the run. Brown Trout continue to move shallow in October, and the fall Brown Trout fishing from piers and harbors along the Indiana shoreline is among the most accessible big-fish opportunities in the state.

Winter Fishing in Indiana (December–February)

Winter splits Indiana anglers into two camps: ice fishers and those chasing Lake Michigan’s cold-water species. The northern lake district freezes reliably from late December through February in most years, and the ice fishing for Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Crappie on the clear glacial lakes of Steuben and Kosciusko counties is some of the best in the Midwest. Jigging small teardrops tipped with wax worms over 15–25 feet of water is the standard approach. Tip-ups for Northern Pike over weed flats add big-fish potential.

Lake Michigan doesn’t freeze along the Indiana shoreline in most years, keeping the trout and salmon fishery open year-round. Lake Trout are caught through the coldest months by anglers working the deep water — 60–120 feet — off Portage and Lake County. These fish concentrate over deep structure and respond to jigging spoons and cut bait worked near bottom. The state Lake Trout record is 37 lb 8.8 oz. Ice fishing in central and southern Indiana is less consistent — the reservoirs freeze in cold winters but many years offer only intermittent ice. Check with local bait shops before committing to a drive.

Indiana Fishing Calendar

Key Season Dates and Closures

Indiana DNR publishes updated fishing regulations each year. Specific waterbodies may have different rules than the statewide baseline — always check the current regulations for the specific lake or river you’re fishing before you go. Regulations are available free at in.gov/dnr and at most license retailers.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is bass season in Indiana?

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are open year-round in Indiana. The best fishing is during the spawn (late April through May) and in fall (September–October) as fish feed aggressively before winter. Summer bass fishing is best in early morning and evening. Size and bag limits apply — check current DNR regulations for specific waterbodies, as some lakes have special rules.

When is walleye season in Indiana?

Walleye are open year-round in most Indiana waters. Peak fishing comes in early spring (late February through March) on rivers like the Tippecanoe and Wabash before ice fully leaves the lakes, then again in fall (October–November) as fish feed heavily before winter. The Tippecanoe River and central Indiana reservoirs (Salamonie, Mississinewa, Brookville) are the state’s most consistent walleye destinations.

When is the best time to fish Lake Michigan in Indiana?

Lake Michigan is productive year-round from Indiana’s shoreline, but peak seasons vary by species. Chinook Salmon peak August through September near stream mouths and in the southern lake. Brown Trout move shallow March through May and again in October. Lake Trout are best December through February in deep water. A Trout/Salmon Stamp is required in addition to your standard fishing license for all of these species.

When is crappie season in Indiana?

Crappie are open year-round in Indiana. The spawn (late March through mid-April) is the most reliable time — fish move shallow into 4–8 feet of water and hit jigs aggressively. Ice fishing in January and February on clear northern lakes also produces good crappie. Summer crappie are there but harder to find, holding in deeper structure away from bank fishing access.

Is there good ice fishing in Indiana?

Yes — the northern lake district (Steuben, Kosciusko, and LaGrange counties especially) offers reliable ice fishing most winters from late December through February. The clear glacial lakes in this region are among the best ice fishing destinations in the Midwest for Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Crappie, and Northern Pike. Ice in central and southern Indiana is less consistent year to year — check local conditions before driving.

What fish are in season in Indiana right now?

Most Indiana freshwater species are open year-round, including Bass, Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill, and Walleye. Muskellunge has seasonal regulations — check the current Indiana DNR fishing guide at in.gov/dnr for exact dates and any waterbody-specific rules. The DNR also publishes weekly fishing reports at in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/fishing that show what’s currently biting and where.

Sources: Indiana DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife — Fishing.